How is a Child Arrangements Order different from a parenting plan?

A Child Arrangements Order is legally enforceable by the court, while a parenting plan is usually a voluntary agreement unless incorporated into a court order.

What is a child contact agreement used for?

A child contact agreement records when and how a child spends time with a parent or another person, including overnight stays, holidays, video calls, phone contact, transport, and handover arrangements.

What is a shared care schedule?

A shared care schedule sets out the days, times, and practical routines for a child living or spending substantial time with each parent, including term-time, weekends, holidays, and special occasions.

What is a consent order for child arrangements?

A consent order is a court-approved order reflecting arrangements agreed by the parents. Once approved, it can make the agreed child arrangements legally binding and enforceable.

What is a C100 application?

A C100 application is the court form used in England and Wales to apply for a Child Arrangements Order, Specific Issue Order, or Prohibited Steps Order when parents cannot agree arrangements.

What is a Specific Issue Order?

A Specific Issue Order asks the court to decide a particular dispute about a child, such as schooling, medical treatment, religious upbringing, relocation, or changing a child\u0027s surname.

What is a Prohibited Steps Order?

A Prohibited Steps Order prevents a parent or another person from taking a specific action concerning a child without the court\u0027s permission, such as removing the child from the country or changing schools.

Who can use child arrangements document templates?

These documents are usually used by separated parents, unmarried parents, divorced parents, guardians, or others with parental responsibility who need to record or formalise arrangements for a child.

Do parents need mediation before applying for a Child Arrangements Order?

Most applicants must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting before applying to court, unless an exemption applies, such as domestic abuse, urgency, child protection concerns, or other recognised exceptions.

What should a child arrangements document include?

A good document should clearly cover living arrangements, contact times, school holidays, birthdays, handovers, travel, communication, parental responsibility, decision-making, dispute resolution, and review dates.

Can AI generate child arrangements documents for use in the UK?

Yes. Child arrangements documents should be written in plain English, identify the child and parties accurately, and reflect the child\u0027s best interests, welfare, routine, safety, and practical needs.

Are child custody agreements and Child Arrangements Orders the same?

They are related but not identical. In modern England and Wales law, \"child custody\" is commonly understood as child arrangements, but the legal term is usually \"Child Arrangements Order\".

What does the court consider when making child arrangements?

The court treats the child\u0027s welfare as the paramount consideration and considers factors such as the child\u0027s needs, wishes and feelings, risk of harm, family circumstances, and each parent\u0027s capability.

When might I need a court order instead of an informal agreement?

You may need a court order if parents cannot agree, one parent is not following agreed arrangements, there are safeguarding concerns, or formal enforceable arrangements are needed.

How does this document types page help me choose the right child arrangements document?

This page explains the main document types used for child arrangements in the UK and links to the main generator category page, where you can create a tailored child arrangements agreement or related document.

EN-GB>Family>Child Arrangements Order>UK Child Arrangements Document Types

Child Arrangements Document Types In The United Kingdom

Created: 13 Jun 2026

This guide explains key child arrangements document types and how the structured dataset helps you compare options, understand requirements, and prepare more confidently. For related tools and guidance, visit AI Generated British Child Arrangements Order.

Document Type	Main Purpose	Legal Status	Typical Use Case	Practical Considerations
Private agreement
Informal Written Child Arrangements Agreement	Records agreed living and contact arrangements without court involvement.	Not automatically court-enforceable	Separated parents agree arrangements and want a clear written reference.	Keep wording specific consider a consent order if enforceability is needed.
Parenting plan
Parenting Plan	Sets out practical co-parenting arrangements and shared expectations.	Guidance document	Parents want a comprehensive non-court plan for raising children apart.	Useful for reducing misunderstandings not a substitute for a court order.
Consent order
Child Arrangements Consent Order	Turns agreed child arrangements into a court-approved order.	Court-approved	Parents agree terms but want the security of court approval.	Court must consider the child's welfare and whether an order is necessary.
Child Arrangements Order
Child Arrangements Order	Decides who a child lives with, spends time with or contacts.	Court-ordered	Parents cannot agree core living or contact arrangements.	Court focuses on the child's welfare, not parental fairness.
Lives With Child Arrangements Order	States with whom the child is to live.	Court-ordered	There is a dispute about the child's main home.	May affect practical issues such as handovers, school routine and travel.
Spends Time With Child Arrangements Order	Sets when the child spends time with a parent or carer.	Court-ordered	Parents disagree about frequency, duration or pattern of contact.	Specify days, times, handovers and arrangements for missed contact.
Private agreement, Parenting plan, Child Arrangements Order
Indirect Contact Arrangement	Provides contact by phone, video, messages, letters or cards.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-ordered	Face-to-face time is impractical, unsafe or being reintroduced gradually.	Set frequency, platform, supervision and rules for inappropriate messages.
Supervised Contact Arrangement	Allows contact while another adult or centre supervises safety.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-ordered	There are safeguarding, reintroduction or trust concerns.	Identify supervisor, venue, costs, reports and review points.
Supported Contact Arrangement	Enables contact in a safe venue without close supervision.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-ordered	Contact needs neutral handover or gradual rebuilding, but lower risk.	Check centre availability, referral route, waiting times and session rules.
Private agreement, Parenting plan, Consent order, Child Arrangements Order
School Holiday Contact Schedule	Allocates school holidays and half-terms between parents or carers.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	Term-time arrangements do not cover longer holiday periods.	Define dates, booking deadlines, travel, childcare and handover times.
Christmas And Special Days Arrangement	Sets arrangements for Christmas, birthdays and family celebrations.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	Parents need predictable arrangements for emotionally important days.	Use alternating years or fixed split times to avoid annual disputes.
Handover Arrangement	Sets where, when and how the child moves between carers.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	Parents need clear logistics or conflict-free transfers.	Specify location, responsible adult, lateness rules and backup plans.
Private agreement, Parenting plan, Child Arrangements Order
Supported Handover Arrangement	Uses a neutral person or venue to reduce handover conflict.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-ordered	Direct parental contact at handover is unsafe or high-conflict.	Agree timings, venue rules, costs and what happens if one parent is late.
Private agreement, Parenting plan, Consent order, Child Arrangements Order
Shared Care Arrangement	Records substantial care time with each parent.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	Both parents provide regular homes and day-to-day care.	Needs workable school travel, routines, communication and consistency.
Equal Time Care Schedule	Divides the child's time broadly equally between parents.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	Parents live close enough and can sustain a balanced routine.	Consider child's age, school commute, belongings and weekly stability.
Alternate Weekend Contact Schedule	Sets regular weekend time, usually every other weekend.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	One parent has weekday care and the other has regular weekend time.	Specify start and end times and whether Fridays or Mondays are included.
Midweek Contact Arrangement	Adds weekday contact or overnight stays during school weeks.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	A child needs frequent contact beyond alternate weekends.	Coordinate homework, school equipment, clubs, meals and bedtimes.
Phased Contact Plan	Builds contact gradually through planned stages.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	Contact is restarting after absence, conflict or safeguarding concerns.	Include review dates, progression criteria and fallback arrangements.
Private agreement, Consent order, Child Arrangements Order
Relocation Child Arrangements Agreement	Manages arrangements where one parent moves home with the child.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	A move affects schooling, travel distance or contact frequency.	Address travel costs, holiday time, schooling and communication methods.
Private agreement, Parenting plan, Consent order, Child Arrangements Order
Child Travel Permission Agreement	Records consent for taking a child abroad temporarily.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	A parent wants holiday travel outside the UK with the child.	Include destination, dates, accommodation, emergency contacts and passport handling.
Passport And Travel Document Arrangement	Sets who holds, applies for and provides the child's passport.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	Parents dispute travel documents or need reliable access before trips.	Set notice periods, storage, renewal cooperation and return deadlines.
Education Decision-Making Arrangement	Sets how parents handle school choices and education issues.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	Parents share parental responsibility but disagree about schooling.	Include school communications, parents' evenings and decision deadlines.
Health And Medical Decision-Making Arrangement	Sets how parents handle healthcare decisions and medical information.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	Parents need clear rules for appointments, consent and emergencies.	Cover GP access, medication, emergency notice and information sharing.
Private agreement, Parenting plan
Co-Parent Communication Protocol	Sets rules for messages, updates and child-related communication.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Guidance document	Parents need boundaries to reduce conflict and missed information.	Agree channel, response times, emergencies and respectful language rules.
Private agreement, Parenting plan, Consent order, Child Arrangements Order
Child Communication Schedule	Sets calls, video chats or messages when the child is away.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	A child spends blocks of time with one parent or travels away.	Set times, device access, privacy and limits on excessive contact.
Private agreement, Parenting plan
Emergency Childcare And Contingency Plan	Sets backup care arrangements for illness, delay or emergencies.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Guidance document	Parents need predictable backup care and emergency contact steps.	Name trusted adults, school contacts, medical contacts and notice rules.
Private agreement, Parenting plan, Consent order, Child Arrangements Order
Review And Variation Clause	Sets when and how arrangements will be reviewed or changed.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered, Guidance document	Children's needs, school stages or parents' work patterns may change.	Do not vary a court order informally if enforceability may matter.
Private agreement
Mediation Memorandum Of Understanding	Records proposals reached in family mediation.	Not automatically court-enforceable	Parents reach mediated proposals before formalising arrangements.	Usually needs conversion into an agreement or order to be relied on.
Guidance document
MIAM Certificate For Child Arrangements Application	Shows mediation information was considered before a court application.	Guidance document	A parent applies to court and no exemption applies.	Required before many private law applications unless an exemption applies.
Child Arrangements Order
C100 Child Arrangements Application	Applies to court for a child arrangements order or related order.	Guidance document	A parent or eligible applicant asks the family court to decide arrangements.	Needs accurate parties, children, orders sought and safeguarding information.
C1A Allegations Of Harm Form	Gives the court details of alleged harm or domestic abuse.	Guidance document	Safeguarding concerns are relevant to child arrangements proceedings.	Be specific about incidents, risks, evidence and protective measures sought.
C79 Enforcement Application	Asks the court to enforce an existing child arrangements order.	Guidance document	A court-ordered arrangement is not being followed.	Keep evidence of missed contact, communications and attempted solutions.
Enforcement Order For Unpaid Work	Requires unpaid work after breach of a child arrangements order.	Court-ordered	A person has failed to comply with a child arrangements order.	Court considers reasonable excuse and whether enforcement is appropriate.
Family Assistance Order	Provides short-term welfare support to help arrangements work.	Court-ordered	Families need professional support alongside child arrangements.	Requires consent of named adults and relevant local authority or officer.
Prohibited Steps Order Linked To Child Arrangements	Prevents a specific parental responsibility step without court consent.	Court-ordered	One parent seeks to stop removal, school change or risky action.	Use where stopping a specific act is clearer than contact wording.
Specific Issue Order Linked To Child Arrangements	Decides a specific disputed question about the child's upbringing.	Court-ordered	Parents disagree about school, medical treatment, name, religion or travel.	Frame the exact issue and explain why the proposed outcome benefits the child.
Private agreement
Parental Responsibility Agreement	Gives an eligible father or second female parent parental responsibility by agreement.	Court-approved	A parent lacks automatic parental responsibility but both parents agree.	Use prescribed form and registration process it is not a contact schedule.
Child Arrangements Order
Parental Responsibility Order	Grants parental responsibility by court order.	Court-ordered	A parent or eligible person seeks parental responsibility without agreement.	Parental responsibility affects decisions but does not itself set contact times.
Kinship Carer Child Arrangements Order	Sets that a child lives with a relative or connected carer.	Court-ordered	Grandparents or relatives provide the child's main care.	Check who may apply and whether leave of the court is needed.
Private agreement, Parenting plan, Child Arrangements Order
Grandparent Contact Arrangement	Sets time or communication between a child and grandparent.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-ordered	Family separation affects an important grandparent relationship.	Grandparents may need permission to apply unless agreement is reached.
Step-Parent Contact Or Care Arrangement	Records care or contact involving a step-parent.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-ordered	A step-parent has played a significant caring role after separation.	Clarify parental responsibility, authority for school or medical issues and boundaries.
Child Arrangements Order
No Contact Arrangement	Records that direct contact should not take place.	Court-ordered	Contact would expose the child or resident parent to unacceptable risk.	Safeguarding evidence is critical indirect contact may still be considered.
Parenting plan, Child Arrangements Order
Safe Child Arrangements Plan In Domestic Abuse Cases	Structures arrangements to manage domestic abuse and harm risks.	Guidance document, Court-ordered	There are allegations or findings of domestic abuse relevant to contact.	Avoid unsafe informal contact consider supervised contact or protective orders.
Child Arrangements Order
Contact Activity Direction Or Condition	Requires participation in activities to help contact work.	Court-ordered	The court thinks education or support may improve arrangements.	Check availability, suitability, costs and compliance requirements.
Interim Child Arrangements Order	Sets temporary arrangements while proceedings continue.	Court-ordered	The court needs a holding arrangement before final determination.	May shape routines but is not the final decision.
Final Child Arrangements Order	Sets the court's final arrangements after agreement or hearing.	Court-ordered	The court concludes the arrangements needed for the child.	Ensure the wording is precise enough to follow and enforce.
Private agreement, Consent order
Agreed Variation To Child Arrangements	Records agreed changes to an existing arrangement or order.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved	Parents agree updated arrangements after circumstances change.	If changing a court order, seek a fresh order where certainty matters.
Private agreement
Child Maintenance Agreement Related To Care Pattern	Records financial support arrangements linked to childcare pattern.	Not automatically court-enforceable	Parents want care-time records to align with maintenance discussions.	Maintenance is separate from child arrangements and may involve CMS rules.
Private agreement, Parenting plan, Consent order, Child Arrangements Order
Welsh Schooling And Language Arrangement	Records decisions about Welsh-medium education and school logistics.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Court-approved, Court-ordered	Separated parents in Wales need agreed schooling and language arrangements.	Coordinate admissions deadlines, transport, homework language and school communications.
Private agreement, Parenting plan
Scottish Residence And Contact Agreement	Records residence and contact arrangements under Scottish terminology.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Guidance document	Parents in Scotland need a written agreement using Scottish concepts.	Do not assume England and Wales Child Arrangements Order wording applies in Scotland.
Northern Ireland Residence And Contact Agreement	Records residence and contact arrangements using Northern Ireland terminology.	Not automatically court-enforceable, Guidance document	Parents in Northern Ireland need a non-court written arrangement.	Check local court terminology before using England and Wales templates.

Which Child Arrangements Document Is Right In England And Wales?

Private agreements and parenting plans are usually best where parents can cooperate and need a flexible written record, but they are not automatically court-enforceable. If enforceability is important, parents generally need a consent order or a Child Arrangements Order.

When Should Parents Consider A Consent Order?

A consent order is commonly used where parents agree the arrangements but want the court to approve them. The court will only make an order if it considers this better for the child than making no order, reflecting the Children Act 1989 welfare principle and no-order principle.

When Is A Child Arrangements Order Needed?

A Child Arrangements Order is usually appropriate where there is a dispute about who the child lives with, when the child spends time with each parent, or other arrangements that need a binding court decision. It can set out living and contact arrangements and may include warnings about enforcement.

What Should Parents Include In A Parenting Document?

Day-to-day arrangements: school-week routine, handovers, holidays, birthdays and special days.
Decision-making: education, health, religion, passports and travel permissions.
Risk and safeguarding: supervised contact, indirect contact or supported handovers where there are safety concerns.
Future-proofing: review dates, variation process and communication rules to reduce later disputes.

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FAQs

What are child arrangements documents in the United Kingdom?

Child arrangements documents are legal documents used in England and Wales to record or request decisions about where a child lives, when they spend time with each parent, and how parental responsibility is exercised after separation.

What is a Child Arrangements Order?

What types of child arrangements documents are commonly used?

Is a child arrangements agreement legally binding?

What is a parenting plan?

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